Happy Halloween - Scary Face!

Made by a torn awning backlit by a blue tarp.

Or is it?

A Small Slice of Portland

It was noon when I got to Portland, the church bells told me so.
When I tried to see them, I was disappointed to see
Only the huge loudspeaker! No bells!

Walking down to the South Park blocks Farmers Market, I came across this unique building decoration.

I gave him some change and he played me a song.
Isn't he cute?

I fell in love with the First Presbyterian Church, built in 1886.

And was struck by the balance of old and new.
Light and dark.
Reflections of sunlight trying to break through the clouds.
It never did.
But was a beautiful day anyway.

Rainbow Colors of Autumn

I found this grove of autumn glory in Hood River and had to try to capture the colors and textures it presented. Shortly after the shot, the rain began pouring down ... of course we were walking!

And look what happened as soon as we got back in the car!

Eye Wash Fountain

This sign caught my eye ...
Made me giggle.

Eye Wash Fountain ...
On top of a pile of broken glass.

I hope nobody needs to use it!

Scary Face

Just in time for the Halloween season ...
Do you see the scary face here?

And you thought it was just another float plane moored on the Columbia River ...

Cedar Waxwings

There was a large flock of beautiful birds taking their fill of the berries in the yard ... they flitted around crazily, yellow-tipped tail feathers fluttering.

I hadn't seen a cedar waxwing in years, now I was blessed with many.

Arrrgh!!!

The "Lady Washington" was docked in Hood River for their annual Harvest Festival.
If she looks familiar it's because she is also known as the "Interceptor" in the Pirates of the Caribbean; Curse of the Black Pearl movie.

"Oh, the Dauntless is the power in these waters, true enough, but there's no ship as can match the Interceptor for speed."
- Murtogg to Jack Sparrow

Anchor

Jack Sparrow Stood Here!!!
At least that's what I want to believe ...
(Yes that's me)

As we were leaving, we interrupted a local policeman -- writing a parking ticket for the ship!
Actually, it was just a fun photo op.

Picture on Log

The picture in this log jumped out at me. I see a small deer at the bottom. The top is a barren desert landscape, complete with setting sun. If you enlarge the picture, you will see the rose blooming in the twilight against the sun.

At least, that's what I see. What do you see?

Clouds Have Stripes!

I'm listening to the much-needed rain hit the roof this morning. The clouds came in yesterday evening, and they were fantastic.

I caught these zebra? tiger? -- cloudy stripes in the front yard framed between the fir and oak trees.

Nutty Owl

I found this nutty little owl on the ground beneath a tree in the parking lot of a church. Isn't he cute?

Drying Corn

What can be done with a case of corn from the Gleaners? Too much to eat, too beautiful to throw out, too old to freeze or can. I'm thinking winter chicken food! Dried by the sun and breeze, a beautiful yard decoration for now. I have done this every fall, and have yet to get tired of seeing the plump golden kernels shrinking and turning dark yellow and orange through the fall harvest season.

Duck! It's Bathing Beauties

I caught these lovelies taking advantage of a late morning sunbreak to do a little bathing. Shortly after I took their portraits, the sun went away and so did the fun.

A Walk on the Wild Side

Juvenile Downy Woodpecker

Late Thistle flower, wet from rain

Duck sleeping on submerged log

Fall Cattail

These photos courtesy of a walk at the Fanno Creek Nature Preserve in Tigard, Oregon.